Do we have any idea?

Right, wrong, or indifferent, this is a unique time of year, and it has been for longer than any of us can remember. That we moderns have perverted it into some hedonistic festival of waste and debauchery, of egotism run wild and false expectations, is, I suppose, in some ways just a natural progression of things. Things don't always change for the better when we humans are involved.

We've turned it all on its head: everyone who ever celebrated anything at this time of year - except for us, of course - did so with a certain reverence for things greater than themselves. Since we are defined by our man-made toys and gadgets, we have lost this sense of "something greater" and have degenerated into über-consumers who can't get enough fast enough, shiny enough, twinkly enough, expensive enough. And yet - and here I have divorce, mental-illness, and crime rates to back me up - we are some damn unhappy people. Like any other junkie, our consumer fix will fade fast and we'll be seeking another kick before all too long.

Now, before the more religiously inclined of you get up on your high horses and tell me you're the only ones who have figured it out and haven't succumbed to the holiday, consumer madness surrounding us, I just want you all to know that I don't believe a word of it. You may be bothered to no end that there are insensitive people who don't want to hear anyone say Merry Christmas any more, but you only need to look at the clips of Walmartians on Black Friday to know that whomever this holiday is supposed to be about or because of has absolutely nothing in common with what's going on there. How soon we forgot that he was the one who drove the money changers out of the temple, not the one who invited them in.

But that's just part of the story, of course, those ireful actions were the consequence of a long frustrating narrative, and one that still hasn't sunk in. I mean, you have to give the story credit: it's persistent. It's hung on in spite of centuries of efforts to suppress it. But, it is also clear to me that we have lost sight of that narrative in meaningful terms. OK, roughly a third of the world's population call themselves Christian (though Lord only knows how many actually act like one), and the figure of Jesus inspired even non-believers like Gandhi. It would seem that it should be a powerful narrative, but do we even know what it is anymore?

I would suggest we don't. More abuse, suffering and death have been caused in the name of that poor guy than even he would be able to stand, I think. Just what was he trying to tell us? What is the story really about? I'd like to know, so it seems the perfect time of year to submerge beneath the glare and glitter, the theological smoke and mirrors and just take a look at why this narrative is all but forgotten today.